Chapter 16: Be mindful of the distance between you and your doting brother, but maintain a safe distance.
The first attempt at a reality show featuring no props was a dud. In the office, Wen Zhiling met with Zong Linhan's agent, Chen Pingping, and the topic returned to the crying scene.
Chen Pingping appeared gentle and friendly, and spoke directly without beating around the bush, saying things like, "Try crying and let me see."
He thought to himself, how fake could the acting be? After all, Zong Linhan had taken a considerable risk to force his way in…
Wen Zhiling's crying scene greatly shocked Chen Pingping.
All thunder and no rain, wailing for ages without shedding a single tear, even with eyelids rubbed red, shows absolutely no grief. It's so fake that even the consumer rights hotline (315) would call and report it as fraud.
Zong Linhan suppressed a laugh, propped his chin up, and turned his face away. "It's alright, much better than before."
Chen Pingping remained stiff and silent, thinking to herself that Captain Zong was quite natural, consistently demonstrating his skill in lying through his teeth.
Wen Zhiling modestly said, "I did some research on the trip."
Then she learned little tricks like avoiding people, wiping the corners of her eyes with air, and rubbing her eyes until they bled. Chen Pingping sent a message to her assistant to bring three cups of coffee to calm herself down.
He pulled up the final video of the previous season, a bonfire party where the guests sat at three separate tables, eating hot pot and shedding tears.
One guest, with tears in his eyes, said, "I never thought a show would be so unforgettable for me. It's like entering a utopia, a paradise. It's so beautiful that I don't want to leave."
Another guest broke down in tears: "Viewers may only see the edited version of our lives, but it's a pity that we couldn't present the full picture of our interactions and how we helped each other in private. The little things in our lives and the small acts of care we showed each other were very touching."
Wen Zhiling doesn't follow the entertainment industry much, but she's heard some well-known gossip. "Those two, did they never meet in public again after that...?"
Chen Pingping was used to it. "Yeah, it's all about copying someone's persona and vying for endorsements. It's caused quite a stir."
Wen Zhiling: "Wow..."
Chen Pingping: "It's not that tears are necessarily fake. When couples say 'I love you,' they mean it at that moment, but things can change. When the camera is on you, learn to amplify your emotions and express them precisely. You take the initiative to express yourself, so the power is yours. If you don't have anything interesting to show, you might get cut if you're lucky, but if you're unlucky, someone else will have to express it for you."
When the topic of couples came up, Wen Zhiling noticed Zong Linhan glance at her. As a mature and stable adult, Wen remained unmoved, deftly taking out a pen and notebook from her bag to jot down key points from the variety show, humbly learning from the situation.
Zong Lin snorted coldly, and Wen Zhiling wrote down the first rule: Learn to shed tears in three seconds.
Chen Pingping admired Wen Zhiling's attitude towards learning. Even if she couldn't cry, he would help her out. This kind of dedication was quite rare. He then proceeded to explain important matters to her in a very detailed and thorough manner.
Zong Linhan watched the two's back-and-forth exchange, his forehead propped up by his hand. Chen Pingping seemed eager to impart all his knowledge and take on a disciple. If he knew Wen Zhiling was a vampire, he probably would have hidden under the table.
Wen Zhiling's long hair was covering her eyes. Zong Linhan looked at her and wanted to help her tuck it behind her ear. Just as he was about to raise his hand, Chen Pingping spoke up: "Brother Zong, let me say something."
Zong Linhan looked up at him, and Chen Pingping felt guilty and wanted to look away, but he held back. "In the publicly announced relationship, you and Xiao Wen are cousins who were close when you were young."
"After she went missing, you two didn't see each other for many years. That distance was quite challenging. Xiao Wen isn't familiar with things in the industry, so you need to be extra careful, otherwise she might easily get into trouble."
Chen Pingping was initially reluctant to offer this advice. He had always felt that he was merely a tool to cover up Zong Linhan's true intentions, to deal with the media and arrange schedules. When it came to actual work, Zong Linhan had his own arrangements for priorities.
But today, Captain Zong's gaze kept following Xiao Wen, which made it too easy for people to overthink, and the camera would amplify every subtle emotion.
Zong Linhan nodded slightly, indicating that he could rest assured.
Chen Pingping continued, "It's best to let the changes in distance follow the progress of the program, from unfamiliarity to familiarity, and appropriately mention the blank years. The pace of the relationship must be carefully managed."
This is also a highly anticipated highlight after the news was made public: how will the found heiress return to her wealthy family and reunite with her relatives?
Chen Pingping called out to the crowd, "Amanda!"
A beautiful female assistant in high heels brought over a stack of planning proposals. Chen Pingping flipped through them and handed them to Wen Zhiling. They were supplementary details regarding the fabricated character background.
Wen Zhiling's heart trembled. "Do I have to memorize all of these?"
"Of course not." Chen Pingping smiled and called out again, "Linda!"
Another beautiful assistant, wearing high heels, entered and brought another stack of A4 papers.
Chen Pingping pushed the items to Wen Zhiling's side, "There are still these."
Wen Zhiling: "..."
Chen Pingping asked, "Do you have any special skills?"
Wen Zhiling: "Making coffee and desserts? You can put eight drinks on a tray and it won't break?"
Chen Pingping: "That's it?"
Wen Zhiling thought for a moment, then thought of shooting balloons, quickly memorizing floor plans, observing terrain, and a few other less-than-sophisticated skills...
She shook her head.
"That's not a good idea. There's not enough time for you to learn rock climbing and skiing to create a gimmick... But then again, audiences these days like things that are down-to-earth. If we portray the hardships of being lost, it might be a good thing."
"That's it!" Chen Pingping slapped her thigh, "You should pay more attention to the male guests!"
Zong Linhan and Wen Zhiling looked up at the same time.
"See if there's anyone you find particularly appealing, someone you could develop a casual relationship with?"
Chen Pingping was excited about this marketing idea. "There was a couple featured last season, did you watch it? Just the subtle conflict between the doting brother and his ambiguous suitor was a major highlight!"
Zong Linhan frowned.
Chen Pingping spoke passionately, leaving Wen Zhiling stunned.
A pale hand covered Wen Zhiling's notebook, removing the pen she was about to use to write. Zong Linhan said in a low voice, "Don't write everything down."
He stood up. "It's almost time. Let's go."
Wen Zhiling looked up: "Where to?"
Chen Pingping: "Oh, are we going to meet the guests?"
A note from the author:
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I've been on hiatus for a few days due to revisions, so sorry! Thank you all for your comments, messages, and support these past few days. The next chapter will be available for purchase! I'll try my best to avoid missing updates. Love you all!
-Pre-order "Agreeing Throughout Restricted Documents"-
Yu Qing transmigrated into a restricted novel, taking on a restricted script. As the head of a sect, she enjoyed numerous sex scenes, with her partner being the high priest under her command.
She found it strange that the chief priest was beautiful, noble, and had long legs, but she didn't like to be around her, didn't like her gifts, and always had a cold face when facing her.
Yu Qing was furious; he had clearly enjoyed it too!
But this restrictive text is strange. It increases the difficulty for her every now and then, and various sects and factions come to cause trouble. She, a nobody, even managed to sneak into the Hundred Sects Alliance Conference.
As a novice Foundation Establishment cultivator who knows nothing, she can't keep up the act any longer!
Yu Qing scratched his head and asked the Chancellor, "What do you think, sir?"
Then she discovered that this sickly chief priest, who was given away for free, was actually a jack-of-all-trades, knowledgeable in everything from astronomy to geography, and spouting out schemes and plots as if they were free.
Yu Qing's new world was opened up, and from then on, she couldn't stop saying "Good, good, good," "Yes, yes, yes," and "We'll do as you say, sir!"
One day, Yu Qing unexpectedly learned that she was actually the third female lead, and that she was given the role of revitalizing the sect!
Her bad temper and all-powerful strategist are actually villainous bosses who have fallen into the plains and are recuperating.
This is so awkward.
Yu Qing may not be good at anything else, but her acting skills are top-notch. One second she's all lovey-dovey, the next she's all polite and respectful, clearly drawing a clear line between the plot and reality.
Then one dark and stormy night, someone forced her to choose "agree" all the way through the bed.
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